ROUTER PROBLEM

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MattInLA
magicJack Apprentice
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:45 pm

ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by MattInLA »

Hi I am having a problem using MJ with my LINKSYS ROUTER WRT54GS; It works for a few calls then inevitably it says TRYING and then it just dies / ends....
ANYBODY have any configuration tips? Also with router, on incoming getting weird message "ACK PENDING" what is THAT thank you.
xxM5xx
MagicJack Contributor
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:59 am

RE: router problem

Post by xxM5xx »

Flip your WRT54GS over onto it's back. There is a sticker on it's belly. It will say what version you have. This is important. Version numbers can be anything fro V1 to V7.2 If you cannot find it, then give me the first four digits of the Serial Number. It should read CGNx, where x can be any number or letter 0 thru E.

Let me know. I have quite a bit of experience with these.

xxM5xx
az2008
MagicJack Sensei
Posts: 1404
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:57 pm
Location: Tempe, AZ

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by az2008 »

MattInLA wrote:Hi I am having a problem using MJ with my LINKSYS ROUTER WRT54GS; It works for a few calls then inevitably it says TRYING and then it just dies / ends....
ANYBODY have any configuration tips? Also with router, on incoming getting weird message "ACK PENDING" what is THAT thank you.
Have you bypassed your router (connecting directly to your modem)? If the problem doesn't occur, it would confirm it's your router. (Not sure how you know it's your router.). Beware that, if you don't have a software firewall you could be hacked pretty quickly doing this test.

There have been reports of problems specific to Linksys routers, but not all people using them have problems. The common problems are inbound calls ending after 30 seconds. And, the phone ringing indefinitely after voice mail answers.

If it really is a router problem, I would try the 30-second factory reset (power off, hold the button in the back, power on, release the button after 30 seconds). I also might try flashing it with whatever the latest Linksys firmware is (even if it's the *same* version).

Quite a few people flashed their routers to the free Tomato firmware, fixing the problem (meaning the problem was with Linksys's firmware, not the hardware). The nice thing about doing this is that you can use QoS to improve the sound quality of your calls.

You can see if Tomato supports your router (version) here:

http://www.polarcloud.com/tomatofaq#wha ... his_run_on

Mark
jhawk44709
MagicJack Newbie
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:13 pm

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by jhawk44709 »

MattInLA wrote:Hi I am having a problem using MJ with my LINKSYS ROUTER WRT54GS; It works for a few calls then inevitably it says TRYING and then it just dies / ends....
ANYBODY have any configuration tips? Also with router, on incoming getting weird message "ACK PENDING" what is THAT thank you.
One thing you can try is going into the router settings 192.168.1.1

goto Applications/Gaming and click on DMZ and put the the ip for the computer that you have MJ On and it Save settings. Then you need to restart the MJ Software click on menu then goto Advanaced Users and click on Restart. See if that helps any.
az2008
MagicJack Sensei
Posts: 1404
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:57 pm
Location: Tempe, AZ

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by az2008 »

jhawk44709 wrote:goto Applications/Gaming and click on DMZ and put the the ip for the computer that you have MJ On and it Save settings. Then you need to restart the MJ Software click on menu then goto Advanaced Users and click on Restart. See if that helps any.
Just for clarification: That's almost same as bypassing the router. And, it carries the same warnings concerning the dangers of connecting to the internet without a router or software firewall.

It doesn't quite eliminate the router as the source of the problem. But, it eliminates a lot of it. Personally, I would just remove the router so there wouldn't be any question. Then decide whether using just a DMZ would work, and if it's feasible (compared to a different router, or firmware).

Mark
jhawk44709
MagicJack Newbie
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:13 pm

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by jhawk44709 »

az2008 wrote:
jhawk44709 wrote:goto Applications/Gaming and click on DMZ and put the the ip for the computer that you have MJ On and it Save settings. Then you need to restart the MJ Software click on menu then goto Advanaced Users and click on Restart. See if that helps any.
Just for clarification: That's almost same as bypassing the router. And, it carries the same warnings concerning the dangers of connecting to the internet without a router or software firewall.

It doesn't quite eliminate the router as the source of the problem. But, it eliminates a lot of it. Personally, I would just remove the router so there wouldn't be any question. Then decide whether using just a DMZ would work, and if it's feasible (compared to a different router, or firmware).

Mark
I open my router DMZ on the computer that has MJ and using the windows firewall and so far MJ working great.
stroths
Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
Posts: 470
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:45 pm
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by stroths »

jhawk44709 wrote: I open my router DMZ on the computer that has MJ and using the windows firewall and so far MJ working great.
Can you go to whatismyip.org and post the results? :D
xxM5xx
MagicJack Contributor
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:59 am

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by xxM5xx »

jhawk44709 wrote:
az2008 wrote:
jhawk44709 wrote:goto Applications/Gaming and click on DMZ and put the the ip for the computer that you have MJ On and it Save settings. Then you need to restart the MJ Software click on menu then goto Advanaced Users and click on Restart. See if that helps any.
Just for clarification: That's almost same as bypassing the router. And, it carries the same warnings concerning the dangers of connecting to the internet without a router or software firewall.

It doesn't quite eliminate the router as the source of the problem. But, it eliminates a lot of it. Personally, I would just remove the router so there wouldn't be any question. Then decide whether using just a DMZ would work, and if it's feasible (compared to a different router, or firmware).

Mark
I open my router DMZ on the computer that has MJ and using the windows firewall and so far MJ working great.

Now that you've seen the DMZ to local computer setting work well for your MJ, you can experiment further and try just doing a port forward on port 5070 (stop DMZ open only the ports necessary, you may need something other than just 5070, I dunno) and see how that works. If it works well then, you don't need all your ports open, just the ones used by MJ.

For the OP (MattinLA) he didn't respond with information on his WRT54GS hardware version. He might have a VxWorks model, and he should flash to DD-WRT (or Tomato, whatever).

M5
xxM5xx
MagicJack Contributor
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:59 am

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by xxM5xx »

stroths wrote:
jhawk44709 wrote: I open my router DMZ on the computer that has MJ and using the windows firewall and so far MJ working great.
Can you go to whatismyip.org and post the results? :D
Stroths,

My IP address is 67.90.152.70

Hack away.

M5
az2008
MagicJack Sensei
Posts: 1404
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:57 pm
Location: Tempe, AZ

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by az2008 »

xxM5xx wrote:Now that you've seen the DMZ to local computer setting work well for your MJ, you can experiment further and try just doing a port forward on port 5070 (stop DMZ open only the ports necessary, you may need something other than just 5070, I dunno) and see how that works.
If anyone finds that MJ requires an open port, let me know. Thus far, the general consensus is that MJ initiates all connections to MJ servers, not vice-versa.

The only exception seems to be some people with some Linksys routers. And, their problem went away when they switched to Tomato (or DD-WRT) firmware. Thus indicating the problem was with Linksys's firmware. Not a problem with blocking a required incoming port.

So far, nobody has taken the time to try to capture/interpret the activity using Wireshark. It's probably not worth the effort since it appears it's Linksys's firmware getting confused about something. A Wireshark trace probably wouldn't show anything.

Mark
xxM5xx
MagicJack Contributor
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:59 am

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by xxM5xx »

az2008 wrote:
xxM5xx wrote:Now that you've seen the DMZ to local computer setting work well for your MJ, you can experiment further and try just doing a port forward on port 5070 (stop DMZ open only the ports necessary, you may need something other than just 5070, I dunno) and see how that works.
If anyone finds that MJ requires an open port, let me know. Thus far, the general consensus is that MJ initiates all connections to MJ servers, not vice-versa.

The only exception seems to be some people with some Linksys routers. And, their problem went away when they switched to Tomato (or DD-WRT) firmware. Thus indicating the problem was with Linksys's firmware. Not a problem with blocking a required incoming port.

So far, nobody has taken the time to try to capture/interpret the activity using Wireshark. It's probably not worth the effort since it appears it's Linksys's firmware getting confused about something. A Wireshark trace probably wouldn't show anything.

Mark
Mark,

Linksys WRT54G ver.5 and Ver.6 definately have a problem with NAT, Port Forwarding and some other stuff. Version 5 was the first VxWorks firmware in the WRT54G, prior to that there was the "good" firmware in there.

I wrote about the Linksys SIP bug(s) in V5 and V6 a year ago in a different forum. The cure is erase VxWorks, and install DD-WRT (or other FW), or buy a another (non-linksys) router. I have my parents using VOIP 100% (Gizmo5 and GC). I am impressed with this cheap D-LINK router I bought for them at a Target store in Florida. This router generally has a poor reputation on the Internet but I cannot agree with the negative reputation. The one I have in Florida is rock solid and handles SIP VOIP flawlessly. It is the D-LINK WBR-1310. $20-$25 many places new. My folk's WBR-1310 has been running 11 months without a blip. I use WRT54GS w/DD-WRT for myself.

M5

..... This is from a website called voip-info.org, regarding WRT54G issues with SIP :

Image
az2008
MagicJack Sensei
Posts: 1404
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:57 pm
Location: Tempe, AZ

Re: ROUTER PROBLEM

Post by az2008 »

xxM5xx wrote:Linksys WRT54G ver.5 and Ver.6 definately have a problem with NAT, Port Forwarding and some other stuff. Version 5 was the first VxWorks firmware in the WRT54G, prior to that there was the "good" firmware in there.
Thanks. I'll add a reference to this on the wiki (the 30-second disconnect FAQ answer).

However, it may be more than just the G routers. At least one person reported they had the 30-second (incoming call) disconnect using the WRT54GL. Flashed to Tomato, fixed.

Mark
MattInLA
magicJack Apprentice
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:45 pm

RE: ROUTER ISSUE

Post by MattInLA »

Ok! YES! We're getting somewhere! The call dies after 30 seconds all the time when somebody is calling IN, and the party on the other side gets a busy signal or it goes to voicemail. Calling out, it seems to work better but eventually DIES. THIS WRT54GS ROUTER IS VERSION 1.0 of this model, (starts with CGN0) the firmware release is 4.71.4

ok what is the best way to go here?
az2008
MagicJack Sensei
Posts: 1404
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:57 pm
Location: Tempe, AZ

Re: RE: ROUTER ISSUE

Post by az2008 »

MattInLA wrote:THIS WRT54GS ROUTER IS VERSION 1.0 of this model, (starts with CGN0) the firmware release is 4.71.4

ok what is the best way to go here?
IMO, flash it with Tomato. It's simpler and easier to use than DD-WRT. If you don't need a lot of features like vlans, etc., it makes sense. It's QoS (as documented on the wiki) is easier to use.

Mark
MattInLA
magicJack Apprentice
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:45 pm

OK PROBLEM FIXED

Post by MattInLA »

Had an old version 1.0 WRT54GS router, ditched it....installed version 6.0 WRT54G, firmware Rev. 1.02.5 this seems to have fixed it... MJ seems very demanding on routers.......................ok then. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF THIS CURRENT ROUTER SETUP SEEMS TROUBLE FREE FOR MJ! COMMENTS WELCOMED.
xxM5xx
MagicJack Contributor
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:59 am

Re: OK PROBLEM FIXED

Post by xxM5xx »

MattInLA wrote:Had an old version 1.0 WRT54GS router, ditched it....installed version 6.0 WRT54G, firmware Rev. 1.02.5 this seems to have fixed it... MJ seems very demanding on routers.......................ok then. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF THIS CURRENT ROUTER SETUP SEEMS TROUBLE FREE FOR MJ! COMMENTS WELCOMED.
Matt:
Sell me your WRT54GSV1. I have a hacking project in mind that I need this router for.

M5
az2008
MagicJack Sensei
Posts: 1404
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:57 pm
Location: Tempe, AZ

Re: OK PROBLEM FIXED

Post by az2008 »

xxM5xx wrote:Matt:
Sell me your WRT54GSV1. I have a hacking project in mind that I need this router for.
You might try the forum's PM feature (in case he's stopped reading this thread due to fixing his problem).

Mark
See the MagicJack Wiki (FAQ, How-To, history and more).
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